Prevalence and occupational correlates of professional quality of life among critical-care nurses in Palestinian hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Compassion fatigue is a well-recognized occupational challenge among nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). In the Palestinian context, previous studies have examined ICU-related stressors such as alarm fatigue, workload, and staffing barriers; however, compassion fatigue as a distinct psychological construct remains insufficiently examined among critical care nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire among 146 nurses working in intensive care, coronary care, and emergency units across public, private, and non-governmental hospitals in Palestine. Professional quality of life was assessed using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL, Version 5). The total ProQOL score was used as the primary outcome variable to represent overall professional quality of life. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analyses, and multivariate regression modeling. Participants demonstrated a moderate overall level of professional quality of life. Higher workload and greater exposure to traumatic events were significantly associated with lower total Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scores, whereas access to psychological support was associated with more favorable professional quality of life outcomes. No statistically significant differences were observed across gender, age, education level, or years of experience. overall professional quality of life, is moderately prevalent among Palestinian critical care nurses and appears to be primarily associated with organizational and occupational factors rather than demographic characteristics. These findings highlight the need for institutional strategies that address workload, trauma exposure, and psychological support within ICU settings.